Enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum in wlan operation

ABSTRACT

Enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum in WLAN operation is described. An example of a storage medium includes instructions for connecting with multiple client devices at an access point in a basic service set (BSS) for transmission over a channel in a network environment; estimating a communication quality value for each of the client devices based at least in part on received signal strength values at the access point and at the client device; prioritizing spatial reuse operation based on the estimated communication quality values for the client devices; establishing a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold for a spatial reuse operation in a transmission to a first client device, the first client device being selected based on an estimated communication quality value; and dynamically adjusting the CCA threshold based at least in part on success or failure of data transmission between the access point and the first client device.

BACKGROUND

As wireless devices continue to increase in number, the operation ofclient devices and access points in wireless local access networks(WLAN) are often in close proximity with other WLANs. The close physicaldistances can result in signal interference and collisions on commonradio channels. This condition is conventionally addressed by measuringthe signal energy and backing off from transmission if the signal energyis above a certain threshold, such as the clear channel assessment (CCA)threshold −82 dBm for Wi-Fi operations.

Spatial reuse (SR) in Wi-Fi 6 for AP deployments can assist in improvingoperations in the same Wi-Fi bands by multiple units. In this regard,IEEE 802.11ax allows for modification of the CCA threshold between −82dBm and −62 dBm, thus potentially allowing for increased usage in acertain physical area.

However, effective implementation of spatial reuse is left to theindividual implementations. Legacy Wi-Fi is based on CSMA/CA (CarrierSense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance), and generally applies theconservative CCA threshold, which wastes potential spectrum capacity.While using the default CCA may underutilize the radio spectrum, movingto a CCA threshold that is too high creates the risk of greater packetcollisions and lower throughput for the network as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments described here are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrumincluding prioritization of client devices for spatial reuse, accordingto some embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts to illustrate a process for enhancedspatial reuse of radio spectrum including prioritization of clientdevices based on communication quality, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart to illustrate a process for operation of enhancedspatial reuse of radio spectrum, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart to illustrate a process for enhanced spatialreuse of radio spectrum including dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an access point including enhanced spatialreuse of radio spectrum, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart to illustrate operations for coordination betweenaccess points for spatial reuse operation, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein are directed to enhanced spatial reuse ofradio spectrum in WLAN operation.

Enterprise Wi-Fi is facing a network densification challenge both interms of number of mobile devices and AP deployments, resulting in samechannel operation by access points APs in close proximity to each other(typically 20-40 meters apart). Crowded public places such as airports,shopping malls, and stadiums with multiple vendor deployments mayfurther aggravate this issue.

Legacy Wi-Fi is based on CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense MultipleAccess/Collision Avoidance), where communicating devices defer totransmissions with received signal strength (RSS) that is higher thanthe CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) threshold. Because legacy Wi-Fi usesconservative CCA thresholds (typically −82 dBm (decibel-milliwatts)),this results in inefficient utilization of the wireless medium.Neighboring client devices and APs may be deferring to transmissions inscenarios where concurrent transmissions could be successfully achieved,thus degrading network throughput.

To mitigate this issue, Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 802.11ax) is introducing certain key spatialreuse (SR) features to enable simultaneous transmissions in neighboringBSSs (Basic Service Sets) on the same channels. In particular, Wi-Fi 6introduces BSS color (referring to an identifier code within thepreamble of an 802.11ax PHY header) to identify received packets asbelonging to either the same BSS or an overlapping BSS (OBSS). Inaddition an OBSS-PD (OBSS Preamble Detection) mechanism may use a higherCCA threshold for OBSS packets to promote SR, with an SRP (Spatial ReuseProtocol) mechanism to enable an access point to allow spatial reuse inOBSSs depending on its transmit power and CCA threshold.

The Wi-Fi 6 technology provides the ability to modify the CCA thresholdlevel to control SR transmissions. More specifically, the IEEE 802.11axstandard allows the CCA threshold to be altered between −82 dBm to −62dBm, and recommends trading off transmit power when increasing the CCAthreshold to protect devices at cell edge and to reduce collisions.However, the Wi-Fi 6 standard does not specify a protocol for how tobest adjust the CCA threshold to optimize network throughput performancefor commodity Wi-Fi 6 devices in enterprise networks.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, system, or process is to provideoperations for enhanced spatial reuse performance in APs under Wi-Fi 6(and future standards), while operating within the protocol requirementsand without requiring modification of client devices. In someembodiments, the operations include identifying and prioritizing clientdevices having a high communication quality value, such as a high SINR(Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) value, based on an estimationprocess; and dynamically adjusting the CCA threshold for spatial reusetransmission to adapt to changing network topologies and mobile deviceswithin the network.

In some embodiments, the apparatus, system, or process is morespecifically to provide for determining a total SINR (i.e., SINR forboth uplink and downlink) for SR transmission to each of a plurality ofclient devices based on RSS measurements to neighboring APs and betweenAPs on a same channel. In such operation a client device having thehighest total SINR value of the devices within a BSS then is selected,and, when packets from OBSSs are detected, a CCA threshold value for theOBSS is applied, and is dynamically adapted based on the currentconditions. Further, spatial reuse is turned off for other clientdevices having a lower total SINR to ensure the communication medium isshared between APs, to ensure that SR doesn't generate unnecessarysignal collisions, and to increase likelihood of successful SRtransmission. In this manner, a process allows for optimizing thespatial reuse of devices that are most capable of taking advantage ofspatial reuse, and avoiding spatial reuse for other devices. In someembodiments, an apparatus, system, or process is expanded to provide adifferent CCA threshold for each of multiple overlapping BSSs (asdetermined by, for example, the BSS color data or other data identifyingthe BSS (referred to herein as a BSS identification (ID)) in eachbroadcast packet) in order to tune the network performance on the basisof the actual activity and signal strength of OBSS interference.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, system or process further includes anAP coordination mechanism to share throughput statistics data betweenAPs (either directly or via a central controller) to ensure that the SRoperation utilizing dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds is providing apositive effect on overall spectrum usage across multiple access pointsand BSSs in the network, and to disable the dynamic adaptation of CCAthresholds if a negative effect is determined.

As used herein, access point (AP) (also referred to as a wireless accesspoint (WAP)) refers to a networking hardware device that allows wirelessdevices to connect to a network, including connection to the Internet oran intranet. The AP may connect to a router (via a wired network) as astandalone device, or may be an integral component of the router itself.An AP includes communication using any IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standards,including more specifically communication using IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)technology.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum,according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a networkenvironment may include any number of access points and stations (suchas client devices) that are served by the access points in overlappingBSSs. In some embodiments, one or more access points are to provideenhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum utilizing at least onecommunication quality value. For example, a first access point (AP-0)100 is serving various client devices 105 in a first BSS (BSS-0), asecond access point (AP-1) 110 is serving various client devices 115 ina second BSS (BSS-1), and a third access point (AP-2) 120 is servingvarious client devices 125 in a third BSS (BSS-2). Additional BSSs inthe network may be present within or outside of the illustration inFIG. 1. However, the BSSs are close in proximity and certain BSSs may betransmitting on a same or near channel, thus creating the potential forinterference, such as packet collisions, reduction of SNR (Signal toNoise Ratio), or other effects.

In some embodiments, at least one BSS, such as the BSS-0, is to providefor modification of the CCA threshold based at least in part on acommunication quality value for the associated client devices toprioritize spatial reuse to one or more client devices within clientdevices 105 that are best able to utilize the operation, and to preventother client devices from utilizing spatial reuse to avoid unnecessarypacket collisions that can reduce the overall data throughput.

In some embodiments, the communication quality value that is utilized inprioritizing spatial reuse is SINR (Signal to Interference plus NoiseRatio). In some embodiments, AP-0 100 is to determine a total SINR(uplink and downlink) for SR transmission to each of the client devices105 based on RSS measurements to neighboring APs and between APs on asame channel. The client device with the highest total SINR value thenis selected, with spatial reuse being turned off for the other clientdevices to ensure the medium is shared between APs, and the spatialreuse doesn't generate unnecessary signal collisions.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrumincluding prioritization of client devices for spatial reuse, accordingto some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, a particular access point AP-0200 is to operate under the Wi-Fi 6 standard to allow for modificationof a CCA threshold in a manner that allows for effective spatial reuseof radio spectrum while minimizing the potential for packet collisionsin operation. In some embodiments, the access point AP-0 is to utilizeSINR values for each of multiple client devices in the BSS associatedwith AP-0, the client devices being shown as client devices 202, 204,and 206, to identify a client device with a highest SINR among themultiple client devices, the identified client to be prioritized for SRoperation. In some embodiments, other client devices with lower SINRvalues are not utilized in SR operation.

SINR values are generally not directly available for stations inoperation of a BSS. In some embodiments, AP-0 is to estimate an SINR foreach of multiple client devices utilizing measurements that areavailable either at the access point or from the client devices. Forexample, in order to estimate an SINR for signals received at the accesspoint, the access point is to utilize RSS measures for signals (such asbeacons) that received by the access point from neighboring APs.Further, in order to generate an SINR estimate for signals received atclient devices, an access point is to utilize RSS for signals from otheraccess points that are received by the client devices, and specificallyvia 802.11k beacon reports, wherein client devices are to measure RSSfor beacons from the neighboring access points and report this data backto the associated access point. Such data thus may be received from theaccess points. For example, client device 202 may receive beacons fromeach of AP-1 210 and AP-2 220, and report back such data to theassociated access point.

In some embodiments, access point AP-0 is to utilize the received RSSdata to estimate the SINR at the client for downlink (DATA)transmissions from the AP to the client (which may be referred as thedownlink SINR, or SINR^(dwn)). Further, AP-0 is utilize RSS data toestimate the SINR for uplink (ACK) transmissions from the client to theaccess point (which may be referred to as the uplink SINR, orSINR^(upl)). The access point AP-0 is then to utilize the estimateddownlink SINR and the estimated uplink SINR to generate an estimatedtotal SINR for SR transmission to a client (SINR^(tot)) for use incomparing client devices for SR transmissions and operations.

In some embodiments, the total SINR is generated utilizing an adjustableparameter α to appropriately weight the downlink SINR and the uplinkSINR. Because the downlink DATA packet is in general much longer thanthe uplink ACK, it may be presumed that the downlink should be moreprotected and heavily weighted in calculation. In some embodiments, thetotal SINR for SR transmission to a client device i may be determinedbased on the estimated downlink SINR and uplink SINR values and a weightvalue α as provided in Equation [1]:

SINR_(i) ^(tot)=αSINR_(i) ^(dwn)+(1−α)SINR_(i) ^(upl)  [1]

In a particular implementation the α value may be 0.8, but this α valuemay vary, and may be adjusted as needed to optimize spatial reuseoperation for a particular implementation.

In some embodiments, when AP-0 has data queued (i.e., backlogged data)for each of an identified set of client devices, the access point AP-0200 is to compare the total SINR for SR transmission to each clientdevice of the set of client devices to identify the client device havingthe highest total SINR, and is to prioritize this client device inspatial reuse. More specifically, the access point is to enable spatialreuse for the client device having the highest total SINR, and todisable spatial reuse for each other client device of the identified setof client devices. For example, assuming that access point AP-0 hasqueued data for client devices 202, 204, and 206 in FIG. 2, AP-0 maydetermine that client device 202 has a high total SINR, client device204 has a medium total SINR, and client device has a low total SINR.Based on a comparison of the total SINR values for the identified clientdevices, access point AP-0 is to enable SR operation for client device202, and disable SR operation for client devices 204 and 206.

In operation, the access point AP-0 is then to apply spatial reuse incommunication with client device 202 when this is appropriate. Morespecifically, for communication with client device 202, upon receiving asignal that is determined to be from an OBSS, AP-0 is to compare thereceived signal strength to a dynamically adjusted thresholdCA-thresh^(OBSS) to determine whether or not to proceed withtransmission. In some embodiments, a separate OBSS thresholdCCA-thresh^(OBSS) is determined and maintained for each OBSS. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, a first CA threshold, indicated asCCA-thresh^(OBSS-1), is determined and maintained for BSS-1 and a secondCA threshold, CCA-thresh^(OBSS-2), is determined and maintained forBSS-2.

In some embodiments, SINR calculation and client device prioritizationmay be as further illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Operation of enhancedspatial reuse of radio spectrum may be as further illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5. In some embodiments, the access point AP-0 may further coordinatewith other access points within the network environment, such as AP-1and AP-2, as illustrated in FIG. 7 to share statistics to determine theeffect of dynamic adaptation of CCA threshold values on the overall datathroughput in the network, and to discontinue dynamic adaptation of CCAthresholds if the SR operation has a negative effect on overall datathroughput.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts to illustrate a process for enhancedspatial reuse of radio spectrum including prioritization of clientdevices based on communication quality, according to some embodiments.As illustrated in FIG. 3A, an access point, such as access point AP-0200 illustrated in FIG. 2, is to identify client devices within a BSSassociated with the access point for spatial reuse operation 304. Theclient devices that may be identified for SR operation are deviceshaving queued packets at the AP that are awaiting transmission.

In some embodiments, the access point is to obtain RSS data at the APfor received signals 308, wherein the RSS data may include RSS betweenthe AP and the client devices within the BSS and RSS between the AP andneighboring APs, which the AP may determine from beacons transmitted bythe neighboring APs. The AP is further to obtain RSS values for each ofthe client devices of the BSS relating to signals received fromneighboring access points 312. The RSS values for signals received atthe client devices may relate to IEEE 802.11k beacon reports, whereinclient devices are to measure RSS for beacons from neighboring accesspoints and report this data back to the associated access point.

In some embodiments, for each client of the BSS the access point is toutilize the RSS data to estimate a downlink SINR for signal reception atthe client-end and is to estimate an uplink SINR for signal reception atthe AP-end 316. The access point is then to calculate a total SINR forSR transmission to each client device based on the downlink SINR anduplink SINR 320, such as provided in Equation [1].

The calculated SINR values may then be used in an SR operation, asillustrated in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, upon receiving a packetfrom an OBSS, with the packet having an RSS that is less than a CCAthreshold 324 (as further illustrated in FIG. 4), the access point is tocompare the total SINR for each client device for which the access pointhas queued data for transmission 326, and identify which of the clientdevices has the highest SINR 328.

The access point is then to prioritize spatial reuse based on the totalSINR for each client device 332, which may include enabling spatialreuse for the identified client device having the highest total SINR anddisabling spatial reuse for each other client device. In this way, thespatial reuse operation is prioritized for client devices that are bestable to take advantage of spatial reuse. The enhanced spatial reuseoperation may then be performed as provided in FIGS. 4 and 5

FIG. 4 is a flow chart to illustrate a process for operation of enhancedspatial reuse of radio spectrum, according to some embodiments. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, service is commenced at an access point in aparticular BSS 400, such as access point AP-0 200 illustrated in FIG. 2,the service provided including exchange of data with client devices inthe BSS. However, the BSS may be in close proximity with one or moreother BSSs, and thus there is risk of interference, packet collisions,or both caused by other signal transmissions, with the access point todefer to other transmissions upon determining that a detected signalenergy is above a CCA threshold.

The access point is to perform operations to serve the client deviceswithin the BSS 404. In these operations, upon the access point receivinga packet for processing, the access point is to read the preamble of theRX packet 408 to determine a source of the packet. In some instances thepacket preamble will contain a BSS color that may be utilized todistinguish the BSS. However, in other instances a BSS color may not bepresent, but a BSS identification (ID) may be determined from other datain fields within the preamble. In some embodiments, a BSS color or BSSID indicated in the packet is detected 412, and, based on the detectedBSS color or BSS ID, the access point is to determine whether the sourceof the packet is within the same BSS as the access point (because theBSS color or BSS ID matches the BSS of the access point) or is within anoverlapping BSS (because the BSS color or BSS ID does not match the BSSof the access point, indicating an OBSS source) 416.

Upon determining that the BSS color or BSS ID indicates the same BSS 416(thus indicating that non-SR operation), the access point is toestablish a CCA threshold equal to a default CCA threshold value 418,which is −82 dBm. The process may then proceed with determining whetherthe RSS of the received packet is less than the default CCA threshold420. If not, then the access point is to defer to the received packet424, and thus avoid any signal conflict. If the RSS of the receivedpacket is less than the default CCA threshold 420, then access point mayignore the received packet and commence transmission to a client devicewhose packet is next in the AP's queue 428.

However, determining that the BSS color or BSS ID indicates an OBSSsource rather than the same BSS 416 (thus indicating an SR operation),the access point is to establish a CCA equal to a CCA threshold valuefor an OBSS 432, indicated as CCA_thresh^(OBSS). In some embodiments,the value for CCA_thresh^(OBSS) may be an adaptable value between −62dBm and −82 dBm. In some embodiments, a separate CCA threshold may beestablished for each OBSS that is detected by access point, with theidentity of the OBSS being determined based on the detected BSS color orBSS ID.

The process may then proceed with determining whether the RSS of thereceived packet is less than the CCA threshold for the OBSS 436. If not,then the access point is to defer to the received packet 440. If the RSSof the received packet is less than the adaptable CCA threshold for theOBSS 436, then the access point may ignore the receive packet andcommence transmission to the client device having the highest SINR value(as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B) 444, allowing transmission with ahigher received signal energy than would be allowed for normaltransmissions within the BSS.

In some embodiments, the process then provides for dynamic adaptation ofthe CCS threshold for the OBSS based at least in part on the success orfailure of the SR transmission 448. The determination and dynamicadaptation of the CCA threshold for the OBSS may be as illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart to illustrate a process for enhanced spatialreuse of radio spectrum including dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds,according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, an algorithm isprovided to set and adjust a CCA threshold for each of multiple OBSSsbased at least in part on the success or failure of SR transmissions.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments a process may includesetting an initial CCA threshold (CCA_thresh^(OBSS)) for each of one ormore OBSSs in an environment 504. In some cases the initial OBSS may becertain starting value for every OBSS, or may be set according to adifferent process. In one example, an initial OBSS threshold may be setat −72 dBm as a middle value between −62 dBm and −82 dBm, or may be setat −82 dBm as a conservative initial value. However, an initial valuemay be any value between −62 dBm and −82 dBm.

The process may proceed with performing operations at the access pointto serve client devices in the BSS or to perform other services 508. Inoperation the access point is to receive a packet, and to identify apacket source as either the BSS associated with the access point or aparticular OBSS based on a detected BSS color or BSS ID within thepacket 512.

In some embodiments, for a packet source that is determined to be aparticular OBSS, the access point is to retrieve a current CCA thresholdvalue for the OBSS packet source 516. The access points is then to applythe retrieved current CCA threshold in the SR transmission 520.

In some embodiments, the access point is to dynamically adjust the CCAthreshold value based on success or failure of an SR transmission inorder to tune the CCA threshold value associated with an OBSS to anoptimal value between the −62 dBm maximum value and the −82 dBm minimumvalue. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if an SR transmission isdetermined to be successful 524 (the transmission is successfullyreceived by the intended recipient), then, as provided in Equation [2],the CCA threshold value for the OBSS is set to be the minimum of eitherthe current CCA threshold value increased by an amount δ or −62 dBm (themaximum CCA threshold value) 528:

CCA_thresh^(OBSS)=min(CCA_thresh^(OBSS)+δ,−62 dBm)  [2]

Further, if an SR transmission is determined to be unsuccessful 524 (thetransmission is not successfully received by the intended recipient),then, as illustrated in Equation [3], the CCA threshold value for theOBSS is set to be the maximum of the current CCA threshold valuedecreased by an amount δ or −82 dBm (the minimum CCA threshold value)532:

CCA_thresh^(OBSS)=min(CCA_thresh^(OBSS)+δ,−62 dBm)  [3]

The increment δ value may be any amount that allows for tuning the CCAvalue within a reasonable time without causing significant oscillationin value. In a particular example, δ may equal 1 or 2 dBm. In someembodiments, the δ value is adjustable to improve operation of thealgorithm. Further, there may be different δ value for increasing ordecreasing the CCA threshold value for an OBSS.

The process then can return to performing operations at the access point508, with each OBSS threshold value being tuned upward or downwarddepending the success or failure of each transmission.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an access point including enhanced spatialreuse of radio spectrum, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, the access point 600 includes a processing unit 605, atransmitter and receiver 620, power control 615, one or more antennas640 for wireless signal communication, and one or more ports 645 fornetwork connections or other connections. The access point 600 mayfurther include memory and registers 610 for storage of data, which mayinclude volatile and nonvolatile memory (including flash memory andsimilar elements), registers, and other storage technologies. In someembodiments, the memory and registers 610 may include one or more OBSSthreshold values 612, which may be set and adapted as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the access point 600 further includes firmware orhardware 630 to provide enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum 632. Insome embodiments, the enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum 632includes support for prioritization of client devices for SR operation634. An operation may include prioritization according to communicationquality of each client device, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.For example, the access point may be operable to use RSS at the accesspoint 600 and each of multiple client devices 652-654 to estimate atotal communication quality, such as an estimated total SINR value, forSR transmission to each client device. For example, the access point 600may determine that client device 652 has a higher estimated SINR valuethan each other client device 654, and thus will prioritize SR usage forthe client device 652. For example, the access point 600 may enable SRoperation for the client device 652 having the highest estimated SINRvalue and disable SR operation for each other client device 654.

In some embodiments, the enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum 632further includes dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds 636, such asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some embodiments, the access point 600is to provide SR operation 660 in a network environment with one or moreother access points 670. The SR operation includes providing anadaptable CCA threshold value for each OBSS associated with the one ormore other access points 670. In some embodiments, each detected OBSS isprovided a separate CCA threshold value that is increased or decreased(between a maximum and minimum value) based at least in part on whetherSR transmissions are successful or unsuccessful.

In some embodiments, the enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum 632further includes coordination between access points for a joint CCAadaptation policy 638, such as illustrated in FIG. 7. In someembodiments, the access point 600 is to provide data to other accesspoints, either directly or through a central controller 680, regardingSR operation with dynamic CCA threshold adaptation. The data may includestatistics regarding data throughput for the BSS associated with theaccess point 600. In some embodiments, the access point is to generateor receive a determination regarding the effect of SR operation withdynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds on an overall data throughput, andto continue or discontinue the dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholdsbased at least in part on the determination.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart to illustrate operations for coordination betweenaccess points for spatial reuse operation including a joint CCAthreshold adaptation policy, according to some embodiments. Dynamicadaptation of CCA values by an access point may improve the datathroughput for a BSS associated with the access point. However, theoperation may at the same time reduce data throughput at another BSSbecause of the increased power of transmission generating packetcollisions.

In some embodiments, an access point, such as access point AP-0 200illustrated in FIG. 2, is to provide coordination with one or more otheraccess points in an environment with regard to spatial reuse of radiospectrum. The coordination includes, but is not limited to, sharing ofdata regarding data throughput to allow a determination regardingwhether the dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds is providing an overallpositive or negative impact on use of the radio spectrum. In someembodiments, the coordination between access points may further includethe access point to disable dynamic CCA threshold adaptation upon adetermination that this is providing a negative impact.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an access point may perform normal operationsto serve client devices in a BSS or perform other related services 704.In some embodiments, the access point may enable dynamic adaptation ofCCA threshold values if required 708, which may include reenabling thedynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds if the operation has beenpreviously disabled. The dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds mayinclude processes illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In some embodiments, the process proceeds with determination of datathroughput for the BSS associated with the access point while dynamicadaptation of CCA thresholds is enabled 712. The access point is then totransmit data including data throughput statistics to other accesspoints of a set of BBSs in an environment (such as in an extendedservice set (ESS)), either directly or through a central controller 716.

In some embodiments, the access point is then to either generate orreceive a determination (i.e., the determination may be made by theaccess point or may be made by another network apparatus, such as acentral controller) regarding an effect of spatial reuse operation withdynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds on overall data throughput for theBSSs in the network environment 720. In some embodiments, upondetermining that the dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds has had apositive effect on overall data throughput 724, the access point is tocontinue dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds 728. Upon determining thatthe dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds has had a negative effect onoverall data throughput 724, the access point is to disable dynamicadaptation of CCA thresholds 732. Upon disabling the dynamic adaptationof CCA thresholds, the access point is to utilize the default CCAthreshold value (−82 dBm) in SR operations.

The process may then return to performance of operations of the AP 704.and, if the dynamic adaptation of CCA thresholds has been disabled, theoperation may be re-enabled after passage of a certain amount of time orupon the occurrence of a certain event 708, wherein the event mayinclude receipt of a trigger to reenable such operation.

The following clauses and/or examples pertain to further embodiments orexamples. Specifics in the examples may be applied anywhere in one ormore embodiments. The various features of the different embodiments orexamples may be variously combined with certain features included andothers excluded to suit a variety of different applications. Examplesmay include subject matter such as a method, means for performing actsof the method, at least one machine-readable medium, such as anon-transitory machine-readable medium, including instructions that,when performed by a machine, cause the machine to perform acts of themethod, or of an apparatus or system for facilitating operationsaccording to embodiments and examples described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage mediums have stored thereon executable computer programinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations including connecting with aplurality of client devices at an access point in a basic service set(BSS) for transmission over a channel in a network environment;estimating a communication quality value for each of the plurality ofclient devices based at least in part on received signal strength valuesat the access point and at the client device; prioritizing spatial reuseoperation based on the estimated communication quality values for theplurality of client devices; establishing a clear channel assessment(CCA) threshold for a spatial reuse operation in a transmission to afirst client device of the plurality of client devices, the first clientdevice being selected based on an estimated communication quality valuefor the first client device; and dynamically adjusting the CCA thresholdbased at least in part on success or failure of data transmissionbetween the access point and the first client device.

In some embodiments, an access point includes a processor; a memory forstorage of data; a transmitter and receiver to transmit and receivedata; wherein the access point is to provide enhanced spatial reuse ofradio spectrum in a network environment, including the access point toconnect with a plurality of client devices for transmission over achannel in the network environment, estimate a signal to interferenceplus noise ratio (SINR) value for transmission to each of the pluralityof client devices based at least in part on received signal strengthvalues at the access point and at the client device, prioritize spatialreuse operation based on the estimated SINR values for the plurality ofclient devices, establish a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold forthe spatial reuse operation, and dynamically adjust the CCA thresholdfor the spatial reuse operation of a first client device of theplurality of client devices based at least in part on success or failureof data transmission between the access point and the first clientdevice.

In some embodiments, a method includes providing service by an accesspoint to a plurality of client devices in a basic service set within anetwork environment; receiving a packet at the access point; determininga source of the packet based on a BSS color or BSS identificationobtained from the packet; upon determining that the source of the packetis within the BSS, utilizing a default clear channel assessment (CCA)value in in an operation for transmission to a client device of theplurality of client devices; and upon determining that the source of thepacket is with a first overlapping BSS (OBSS), utilizing a current valueof CCA threshold value for the first OBSS in a spatial reuse operationfor transmission to a first client device, the first client devicehaving a highest estimated signal to interference plus noise ratio(SINR) value of the plurality of client devices, wherein the CCAthreshold value for the first OBSS is a dynamically adjusted value basedat least in part on success or failure of data transmission between theaccess point and the first client device.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practicedwithout some of these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form. There may beintermediate structure between illustrated components. The componentsdescribed or illustrated herein may have additional inputs or outputsthat are not illustrated or described.

Various embodiments may include various processes. These processes maybe performed by hardware components or may be embodied in computerprogram or machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor or logic circuitsprogrammed with the instructions to perform the processes.Alternatively, the processes may be performed by a combination ofhardware and software.

Portions of various embodiments may be provided as a computer programproduct, which may include a computer-readable medium having storedthereon computer program instructions, which may be used to program acomputer (or other electronic devices) for execution by one or moreprocessors to perform a process according to certain embodiments. Thecomputer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magneticdisks, optical disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magneticor optical cards, flash memory, or other type of computer-readablemedium suitable for storing electronic instructions. Moreover,embodiments may also be downloaded as a computer program product,wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer to arequesting computer. In some embodiments, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium has stored thereon data representingsequences of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to perform certain operations.

Many of the methods are described in their most basic form, butprocesses can be added to or deleted from any of the methods andinformation can be added or subtracted from any of the describedmessages without departing from the basic scope of the presentembodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manyfurther modifications and adaptations can be made. The particularembodiments are not provided to limit the concept but to illustrate it.The scope of the embodiments is not to be determined by the specificexamples provided above but only by the claims below.

If it is said that an element “A” is coupled to or with element “B,”element A may be directly coupled to element B or be indirectly coupledthrough, for example, element C. When the specification or claims statethat a component, feature, structure, process, or characteristic A“causes” a component, feature, structure, process, or characteristic B,it means that “A” is at least a partial cause of “B” but that there mayalso be at least one other component, feature, structure, process, orcharacteristic that assists in causing “B.” If the specificationindicates that a component, feature, structure, process, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, process, or characteristic is notrequired to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or“an” element, this does not mean there is only one of the describedelements.

An embodiment is an implementation or example. Reference in thespecification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,”or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiments is includedin at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. Thevarious appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “someembodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.It should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplaryembodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a singleembodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one ormore of the various novel aspects. This method of disclosure, however,is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimedembodiments requires more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, novel aspects lie inless than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus,the claims are hereby expressly incorporated into this description, witheach claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. One or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage mediums having stored thereon executable computer programinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations comprising: connecting witha plurality of client devices at an access point in a basic service set(BSS) for transmission over a channel in a network environment;estimating a communication quality value for each of the plurality ofclient devices based at least in part on received signal strength valuesat the access point and at the client device; prioritizing spatial reuseoperation based on the estimated communication quality values for theplurality of client devices; establishing a clear channel assessment(CCA) threshold for a spatial reuse operation in a transmission to afirst client device of the plurality of client devices, the first clientdevice being selected based on an estimated communication quality valuefor the first client device; and dynamically adjusting the CCA thresholdbased at least in part on success or failure of data transmissionbetween the access point and the first client device.
 2. The one or morestorage mediums of claim 1, wherein estimating the communication qualityvalue for each of the plurality of client devices includes estimating atotal signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) value based on anestimated uplink SINR value and an estimated downlink SINR value.
 3. Theone or more storage mediums of claim 1, wherein prioritizing spatialreuse operation based on the estimated communication quality values forthe plurality of client devices includes enabling spatial reuse for aclient device having a highest estimated communication quality value anddisabling spatial reuse for any other client devices of the plurality ofclient devices.
 4. The one or more storage mediums of claim 1, furthercomprising instructions to cause the one or more processors to performoperations comprising: establishing and dynamically adjusting a CCAthreshold value for each of a plurality of overlapping BSSs (OBSSs). 5.The one or more storage mediums of claim 4, further comprisinginstructions to cause the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: receiving a packet at the access point; determining a sourceof the packet based on a BSS color or BSS identification obtained fromthe packet; upon determining that the source of the packet is within theBSS, utilizing a default CCA value in an operation for transmission to aclient device of the plurality of client devices; and upon determiningthat the source of the packet is with a first OBSS of the plurality ofOBSSs, utilizing a current value of the CCA threshold value for thefirst OBSS in the spatial reuse operation for transmission to the firstclient device.
 6. The one or more storage mediums of claim 1, furthercomprising instructions to cause the one or more processors to performoperations comprising: determining data throughput information for theaccess point utilizing spatial reuse with dynamic adaptation of CCAthreshold values; and providing the data throughput information to oneor more other access points in the network environment for coordinationof operation with the one or more other access points.
 7. The one ormore mediums of claim 6, further comprising executable computer programinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform operations comprising: upon adetermination indicating that there is a negative impact on overall datathroughput for the network environment when utilizing dynamic adaptationof CCA values, disabling the dynamic adaptation of CCA values.
 8. Theone or more storage mediums of claim 1, wherein dynamically adjustingthe CCA threshold is performed according to IEEE (Institute ofElectronic and Electrical Engineers) 802.11ax.
 9. An access pointcomprising: a processor; a memory for storage of data; a transmitter andreceiver to transmit and receive data; wherein the access point is toprovide enhanced spatial reuse of radio spectrum in a networkenvironment, including the access point to: connect with a plurality ofclient devices for transmission over a channel in the networkenvironment, estimate a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR)value for transmission to each of the plurality of client devices basedat least in part on received signal strength values at the access pointand at the client device, prioritize spatial reuse operation based onthe estimated SINR values for the plurality of client devices, establisha clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold for the spatial reuseoperation, and dynamically adjust the CCA threshold for the spatialreuse operation of a first client device of the plurality of clientdevices based at least in part on success or failure of datatransmission between the access point and the first client device. 10.The access point of claim 9, wherein estimating the SINR value fortransmission to each of the plurality of client devices includesestimating a total SINR (SINR) value based on an estimated uplink SINRvalue, an estimated downlink SINR value, and a weighting value.
 11. Theaccess point of claim 9, wherein prioritizing spatial reuse operationbased on the SINR values for the plurality of client devices includesenabling spatial reuse for a client device having a highest estimatedSINR value and disabling spatial reuse for any other client devices ofthe plurality of client devices.
 12. The access point of claim 9,wherein the access point is further to: establish and dynamically adjusta CCA threshold value for each of a plurality of overlapping BSSs(OBSSs).
 13. The access point of claim 12, wherein the access point isfurther to: receive a packet at the access point; determine a source ofthe packet based on a BSS color or BSS identification obtained from thepacket; upon determining that the source of the packet is within theBSS, utilize a default CCA value in the spatial reuse operation; andupon determining that the source of the packet is with a first OBSS ofthe plurality of OBSSs, utilize a current value of the CCA thresholdvalue for the first OBSS in the spatial reuse operation.
 14. The accesspoint of claim 9, wherein the access point is further to: determine datathroughput information for the access point utilizing spatial reuse withdynamic adaptation of CCA threshold values; and provide the datathroughput information to one or more other access points in the networkenvironment for coordination of operation with the one or more otheraccess points.
 15. The access point of claim 14, wherein the accesspoint is further to: generate or receive a determination regarding aneffect on an overall data throughput for the network environment whenutilizing dynamic adaptation of CCA values; and upon the determinationindicating a negative impact on overall data throughput for the networkenvironment when utilizing dynamic adaptation of CCA values, disablingthe dynamic adaptation of CCA values.
 16. A method comprising: providingservice by an access point to a plurality of client devices in a basicservice set within a network environment; receiving a packet at theaccess point; determining a source of the packet based on a BSS color orBSS identification obtained from the packet; upon determining that thesource of the packet is within the BSS, utilizing a default clearchannel assessment (CCA) value in in an operation for transmission to aclient device of the plurality of client devices; and upon determiningthat the source of the packet is with a first overlapping BSS (OBSS),utilizing a current value of CCA threshold value for the first OBSS in aspatial reuse operation for transmission to a first client device, thefirst client device having a highest estimated signal to interferenceplus noise ratio (SINR) value of the plurality of client devices;wherein the CCA threshold value for the first OBSS is a dynamicallyadjusted value based at least in part on success or failure of datatransmission between the access point and the first client device. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising: further comprising disablingspatial reuse operation for any other client device of the plurality ofclient devices.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:estimating the SINR value for the first client device based on receivedsignal strength values at the access point and at the first clientdevice.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: determining datathroughput information for the access point utilizing spatial reuse withdynamic adaptation of CCA threshold values; and providing the datathroughput information to one or more other access points in the networkenvironment for coordination of operation with the one or more otheraccess points.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the CCA thresholdvalue for the first OBSS is between a minimum of −82 dBm and a maximumof −62 dBm.